St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-11
AYoUB KHAN.
The Afghan Chief Who as Caused
England So Much Worry.
By Cable to the Globe.

England So Much Worry.
By Gable to the Globe
LONDON, Sept. 1O.-Lord Salisbury
admits that the escape of AyOub
Khan is an incident of much polit-
zeal Importance, and strongly condemns
the lack of vigilance on the part of the
Persian authorities. 1t is known that
Mr.. Nicholson, the British minister at
Teheran, was instructed to offer a re-
ward of e100.0C0 for Ayoub's recapture.
Notwithstanding Semi-official denialS
fOm st. Petersburg, it is generally be-
lieyed that AyOub's escape was the re-
suit of Russian intrigue. The shah of
Persia would not have allowed so profit
able hostage to wander away from his
dOminiGnS unless he had received hint
from Russia that it would be to his in
terest to shut his eyes to the vagaries of
his princely guest. Ayoub's fight from
Ieheran was in answer to a call FROM
the GhllZai chiefs to come and leadi
them. The shah of Persia knew that
Ayoub had received such call, but in
stead OF taking precautions to prevents
his leaving Persian territory, the shah
publicly announced that he himself WaSj
going to visit the European courts. ands
court circles in London. remembering
the shah's escapades while visiting the
court of St. James on former occasion,I
became Mortified at the idea of havingj
again to entertain the slovenly persianl
monarch. Since the escape of Ayoub1
Khan nothing more has been heard of
the shah's intended visit to London, and
should he still insist upon coming here,J
he will meet with q very poor receptionj
in comparison with the one he received
when Ayoub Khan was an apparently
closely watched prisoner at Teheran.
AyOub Khan is
THE MOST FORMIDABLE
of all the Afghan pretenders and has
cost England many millions of pOundS'
and the lives of thousands of her best
soldiers. His expedition in 1850 was on
OF the most dra matte episodes of tina
period of disorder in Central Asia. COL
lecting a strong force he determined to
make dash upon Candabar. He was
aware that the Wall, the puppet Eng
land had set UP in Southern Afghanis-
tan, was backed 10y British bayonets,;
but his knowledge of that fact did not
effect his decision to make bold stroke
for the supreme position in the country.
His spirited conduct made a profoundi
impression upon the AfghanS, and as he,
moved forward his army was daily REIN
forced by volunteers from the tribes
through whose districts he passed. For
time the position seemed critical, and
when at length Ayoub overwhelmed,
Gen. Burrows force at Maiwand. he APP
peared destined to achieve signal
success. There can hardly be any
doubt that ii after the battle of Maj
wand he had pushed vigorously forward
and struck a resolute blow at Candabar,
Gen. Primrose, who then held the chief
command there, would have found him.
self in position of
VERY GREAT PERIL.
But, as is usually the case with
ASiatic leaders, Ayoub failed to grasp
his opportunity. He hung about Can
dabar in fstless fashion, not at ALI
suspecting that all the while Sir Fred.
erick Roberts was hurrying southwark
on his memorable march. but soon dis
covered his mistake. His army was
attacked and destroyed: and although
for some months he continued to play
the part of pretender, endeaving now
and again to organize another eXpedi-i
ton, he ceased after his defeat at Mara
to be power in Afghan affairs. 1t has
always, however. seemed probable that
Ayoub would again step to the 'front.'.
In Afghanistan, as elsewhere, diSaffec-
ton always seeks raliying point, and
Ayoub Kha ncould hardly be left out Of
calculation in any great disturbance
among the tribesmen. Since the Begin
ming of the GhilZar rebellion Ayoub has
been an object of vivid interest to the
ameer and to the government of India,
the latter'S increased apprehension
owing to his escape being shown by the
increased activity prevailing in the
military department of the Indian gov
eminent. Troops and munitions of war
are being hurried to the frontier, and a
number of home regiments are booked
for immediate servi ce in India.